Chapter 25 Memories
Commander Gu hummed in acknowledgment of her gratitude and waved his hand, saying, "You've been traveling all day, take your wife to rest. The room is ready."
He specifically used the word 'wife', which shows that he has already accepted Nan Zhiyi's status.
Nan Zhiyi felt more relaxed.
"Yes, Dad." Gu Xiao replied, picking up the luggage from the entryway and taking Nan Zhiyi's hand with his other hand. "Let's go upstairs."
Nan Zhiyi followed Gu Xiao up the stairs covered with a dark red carpet to the second floor.
At the end of the corridor, Gu Xiao pushed open a door.
The space is spacious and the furnishings are simple and sturdy.
Wooden bed, solid wood wardrobe, desk, chair, sofa.
There was a faint scent of mothballs and a unique aroma belonging to Gu Xiao in the air.
The heating was very strong, and Nan Zhiyi was sweating from the heat.
Gu Xiao wiped the sweat from the tip of her nose. "Silly girl."
He helped Nan Zhiyi take off her coat and scarf, and then took off his own coat, hanging them together on the coat rack in the corner.
Nan Zhiyi was only wearing a red sweater, which made her look even more delicate and lovely.
Gu Xiao's heart stirred.
Nan Zhiyi strolled around for a moment and said softly, "I've been to the Gu family so many times since I was a child, but this is the first time I've entered Fifth Brother's room."
She had been to Gu Yan's room before, but Gu Xiao's room was a forbidden and dignified place in the building for her.
She strolled around curiously, touched the bedding on the bed, and pushed open a small door next to it. It led to a separate bathroom with white tiles, an enamel bathtub, and a washbasin.
"And a bathroom... Gu Yan's room doesn't seem to have one..."
She muttered something under her breath.
Gu Xiao knew that she used to be close friends with Gu Yan, and that she had visited Gu Yan's room countless times when she came to the Gu family.
This realization stirred a subtle bitterness and unease within him.
He walked a few steps behind her, stretched out his long arm, pulled her into his embrace, and lowered his head to kiss her.
The kiss was more forceful than usual.
Caught off guard, Nan Zhiyi instinctively placed her hand against his chest.
This was at the Gu family's residence, and she could faintly hear sounds coming from downstairs.
She dared not push him away forcefully, nor dared to make a sound; she could only passively endure it, her cheeks quickly turning red.
Gu Xiao sensed her stiffness and obedience, and punished her by lightly biting her lip before pulling away slightly: "Good girl."
He was pleased that she dared not resist, but also felt sorry for her nervousness at that moment.
Nan Zhiyi was both ashamed and angry. She glared at him, but dared not actually retaliate.
Gu Xiao chuckled softly, kissed her lips again, and then released her. "Look around as you like."
He turned around to open his luggage and began to organize their clothes.
Nan Zhiyi walked to the desk and saw a wooden photo frame containing a picture of Gu Xiao in military uniform. He looked younger than he does now, and the cold and stern look between his brows was clearly visible.
She gently picked up the photo frame, her gaze falling on his serious face, her thoughts drifting away.
She was about seventeen years old at the time, an age when she loved to play and have fun.
One summer afternoon, she, Zhou Zhengping, Gu Yan, and a few other friends, a group of men and women, rode their bicycles to an abandoned quarry in the suburbs.
The terrain there is precipitous, with deep pools and rocky cliffs.
Someone suggested a competition to climb the rock face, and in their youthful spirit, neither of them was willing to admit defeat.
Zhou Zhengping climbed the fastest, while Gu Yan shouted instructions from below.
She was timid, but she didn't want to be left behind, so she gritted her teeth and climbed upwards.
Halfway up the mountain, she stepped on a loose rock and fell into the deep pool.
The exclamations of his companions on the shore turned into panic.
Just as she was struggling erratically and losing consciousness, Gu Xiao saved her.
He appeared out of nowhere, still wearing his training uniform.
His face was terrifyingly grim as he sternly rebuked the terrified crowd, "You dare come to a place like this? Are you out of your mind?!"
A group of young people fell silent in fear.
Gu Xiao didn't look at them anymore. His movements were not gentle, and even somewhat rough as he brushed aside her wet hair to check if she was injured.
She was so frightened that she dared not move, letting him do as he pleased. She felt that he was very close to her, and the oppressive feeling and unquestionable protective posture of an adult male made her heart beat erratically. She also felt inexplicably wronged and ashamed.
After confirming that she was alright, he gave Gu Yan and Zhou Zhengping a cold glance and said, "Aren't you going to get home yet?"
Then, ignoring the reactions of others, he carried Nan Zhiyi to the jeep, took her coat and wrapped it around her, and silently drove her home.
He didn't say a single word of comfort throughout, but he kept the coat that smelled of him on her for a long time.
At that time, she only felt that her fifth brother was fierce and scary, and she didn't dare to breathe loudly in front of him.
But looking back now...
He was such a responsible person; when everyone else was panicking and at a loss, he was the one who saved her.
His cool demeanor and strength are a kind of composure and reliability that young people cannot imitate.
Back then, I was truly... ungrateful.
"What are you looking at?"
Gu Xiao had already packed his luggage and had appeared behind her at some point.
Nan Zhiyi was startled and almost dropped the photo frame.
She hurriedly put it down and turned around.
Looking at his face so close to hers, her features were more defined and rugged than in the photos. His dark eyes were still deep, but now, when he looked at her, they lacked the coldness of the photos and were filled with a profound warmth.
As if possessed, he said, "...Look, Fifth Brother is handsome."
Gu Xiao was clearly taken aback by her words and paused for a moment.
He ran his fingertips across her burning cheek: "You only realize that now?"
He leaned down, this time without the impatience and possessiveness of before, and gently sucked on her lips. "It's not too late."
Nan Zhiyi's heart trembled at his sudden tenderness and smug words. She felt both shy and sweet, and closed her eyes.
At dinner time, the restaurant was filled with the aroma of food.
There were maids busy in the kitchen.
Commander Gu sat in the main seat, while Gu Xiao and Nan Zhiyi sat to one side.
The second brother, Gu Jianjun, lives in the city's Agricultural Machinery Bureau, and the fourth brother, Gu Weimin, lives in the General Logistics Department compound. They have already separated their households and will arrive on New Year's Eve as is customary.
The door lock clicked, and Gu Yan entered, enveloped in a chill, his breath steaming in the cold air.
"Dad, I'm back... Fifth Brother?"
Before he finished speaking, his gaze swept across the dining table and suddenly fixed on Nan Zhiyi.
"Zhiyi?" he blurted out, his voice filled with surprise and a hint of urgency, "How could you..."
She had been out of contact for a while, and they couldn't find her. Unexpectedly, she came to find him first!
After all, she had already broken off the engagement with the Zhou family. Besides the Gu family, what other options did she have...?
Nan Zhiyi smiled politely: "Gu Yan, it's been a long time."
The next second, Gu Xiao's hand, which was resting on the back of her chair, slipped off and he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.
Nan Zhiyi glared at Gu Xiao without flinching.
The color drained from Gu Yan's face instantly.
He was rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on the hand wrapped around Nan Zhiyi's waist, then turned to Gu Xiao.
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